EU-AU joint efforts laud improvement into Burundi Security situation

The European and African Unions have jointly acknowledged the improved security situation in Burundi and encouraged the facilitation of inclusive dialogue to bring a lasting solution. They called on both the government and opposition to genuinely engage in dialogue facilitated by the East African Community mediators.

The two regional bodies made the observation at the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC) and the European Union Political and Security Committee (EU PSC)‘s 9th Annual Joint Consultative Meeting in Brussels, Belgium.

The East African Community (EAC) facilitation needs to succeed on the understanding that only an inclusive dialogue can bring a viable solution.

[ad id=”1539″]

“While noting the AU PSC assessment during its visit to the country in June 2016, that the security situation has improved in the country, the AU PSC and the EU PSC expressed their continued preoccupation with the security situation in the country and encouraged efforts to continue improving it,” they said in a statement on Tuesday.

“They also agreed that the East African Community (EAC) facilitation needs to succeed on the understanding that only an inclusive dialogue can bring a viable solution … They expressed hope that the report of former President Mkapa, to the recent EAC Summit, and the response of Heads of State, can accelerate the process,” the statement added.

They also agreed on the need for the full deployment of AU civilian and military observers to the country.

[ad id=”1539″]

The meeting co-chaired by Ambassador Catherine Muigai Mwangi of Kenya and Ambassador Walter Stevens, Permanent Chair of the EU PSC agreed to meet again in 2017 in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia and to undertake a new joint field trip in the region.

Burundi recently decided to withdraw from the International Criminal Court after the ICC said it was investigating violence and possible war crimes violations relating to violence in 2015 when President Nkurunziza announced that he was seeking a third term.